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Getting an ADHD Diagnosis Being diagnosed with an ADHD diagnosis can be a life altering experience. It explains why some people have difficulty staying in control, following directions or staying focused. Ask your family physician or therapist to refer you to an expert. Contact your insurance company to determine if it covers ADHD evaluations for adult patients. Diagnosis Process A psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist nurse will be required to examine adults to make a proper diagnosis. They are the only healthcare providers who are able to identify ADHD among adults. A detailed interview about you and your symptoms is usually the first step in an initial evaluation. The healthcare professional may also inquire about how long you have had symptoms and how they are affecting you. They might suggest that you talk to a family member or friend about your symptoms. The process of evaluating you may include questions about your childhood. The current guidelines do allow doctors to diagnose ADHD without any evidence that the disorder was present in the early years of childhood. So the healthcare professional will want to examine your school records and talk to those who knew you as in your early years. They may also inquire whether you've ever experienced any mental health issues like depression or anxiety. In some instances, an evaluator may recommend cognitive tests, like IQ tests or assessments for learning or memory issues. They may also suggest that you undergo other types of medical tests to rule out any physical issues that may be causing your symptoms. If the healthcare professional is confident that your symptoms are caused by ADHD they will suggest additional tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity. These tests could include urine and blood tests and a medical exam and possibly educational or psychological tests. The tests will be used to determine the concentrations of certain chemicals in your body that might be associated with ADHD like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They will also test your heart rate and blood pressure. They might also recommend a the spirometry test which will measure the capacity of your lungs. They might also suggest an imaging scan of your brain to check for any functional or structural problems. In certain instances the evaluator might suggest that you or your child be evaluated for other conditions that have similar symptoms to ADHD such as anxiety and depression, or mood and personality disorders. The Interview There are many ADHD questions and quizzes that can act as a screening tool prior to you schedule an appointment with a doctor. These tests could help you recognize that you have ADHD however an interview with a doctor is the only way to confirm the diagnosis. This process can take between 2 and 3 hours. It includes a time spent explaining to the patient what we know about ADHD and how it could affect his or her symptoms. The clinician may also ask about any history of depression or substance abuse as these problems can co-occur along with ADHD. A good diagnostic interview will involve a discussion of the patient's symptoms and their impact, and the psychologist or psychiatrist will use a checklist designed to evaluate hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattentiveness. Additionally, the therapist will be required to review school records and talk to teachers. If the patient is an older adult, they could also interview a spouse or family member. Personal insight can reveal facts that cannot be gleaned from questionnaires. Some doctors are rushed and don't bother with this step or they might insist on seeing a patient just one time, rather than carrying out a full evaluation. This can lead to a doctor making an incorrect diagnosis. If the clinician is too firmly rooted in the criteria used to diagnose ADHD and states that a patient has to show six or more symptoms for a diagnosis it's a red flag. For adults, the evaluator may request that the patient complete ratings for each of the symptoms on an ADHD checklist and provide examples of how those symptoms have affected the patient's life. The assessor will then compare the ratings with the checklist and assess the patient for ADHD. It's often a relief for some adults to receive an ADHD diagnosis. The deep-seated emotions, such as guilt or sadness for not achieving expectations or the fact that the disorder wasn't noticed until later in life, can be complex. ADHD is characterized by impulsivity and a lack of attention. These characteristics can have serious consequences in many areas including relationships, careers, and health. The Tests Getting an ADHD diagnosis is a challenging and difficult process. It requires many forms as well as tests, interviews and other forms of testing. It is possible to prepare by obtaining recommendations from reliable doctors or family members, as well as friends. You should also research the physician and their qualifications to ensure they're a good match for your needs. It is crucial to find a specialist that specializes in ADHD diagnosis. This is to ensure that you or your child receives an accurate evaluation and the best possible treatment. An interview with the evaluation expert is the first step in an ADHD assessment. The evaluation will ask questions about your child or you to collect information about your symptoms. The evaluator wants to know how symptoms affect you and whether they affect your work, school or your relationships. The evaluator could also employ ratings scales to gauge your ADHD symptoms. These usually comprise checklists that ask you or someone close to you a series of questions. For instance, you might be asked if it is common to miss appointments, or be asked how often you interrupt other people. Many evaluators will also ask people who know you or your child to fill out questionnaires regarding what they have observed. Adults may be asked to fill out questionnaires by their spouses or children. Children may be asked to fill out questionnaires from coaches, teachers, daycare workers or nannies. Personal insights can reveal information that is not possible to obtain from a questionnaire. A few evaluators may also conduct cognitive testing to see whether intellectual or learning disabilities are contributing to your symptoms. adhd diagnosis in adult might also screen for mood disorders like bipolar disorder or depression and incipient psychosis, or substance abuse. They could also test for underlying medical conditions like hypothyroidism or seizure disorders. Certain evaluators will offer you or your child an ADHD screening test that evaluates the way you react to target and non-target stimuli. The TOVA (Timed On Only Visual Attention) is a computer-based test cleared by the FDA that evaluates your capacity to pay attention to detail and recall a variety of geometric shapes. The evaluator will examine how often you respond non-target stimuli and how long it takes you to respond to target stimuli. This will help the evaluators identify which subtype of ADHD you have whether you are inattentive or impulsive. The Follow-Up Multiple mental health professionals are qualified to diagnose ADHD and offer ADHD evaluations. This can be a psychiatrist or psychologist as well as psychologist or neurologist. The specialist will inquire about what your concerns are, and how long the issues have been occurring for. He will also ask about any family history of ADHD. It is thought that the disorder is 70% to 80 percent inheritable and that genes play a significant role in whether you or your child is likely to suffer symptoms. He will inquire about how ADHD affects you or your child at home, school, and work. He will ask you or your child about their behavior in different settings since ADHD symptoms are different in different situations. To be diagnosed with ADHD, you or your child will also be required to show at least six symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention or impulsivity that interferes with daily functioning. This must last at least six months. To assist the doctor in making an accurate diagnosis, he must rule out other conditions. These may include psychiatric conditions that are not listed above such as anxiety and mood disorders, intellectual disabilities and certain medical conditions that affect the brain, like thyroid disorders. The specialist will also ask about your child or yourself's habits of sleep and any injuries or accidents that occurred in the past that may have affected your child or your own brain development. The doctor will also determine whether the symptoms of ADHD in your child or you are related to any health conditions or medications that you or your child are taking. The side effects of stimulant medication, such as those used to treat ADHD can include stomachaches and trouble sleeping. These side effects could also be caused by other medications like antidepressants, sleep medications, and a few sleep aids. The expert will be required to determine if a comorbidity present, which means that your child or you has another condition that can cause symptoms of ADHD for example, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, or an eating disorder. The psychiatrist or psychologist will look over the information and then make the diagnosis.